Chelsea have announced the capture of defender Tosin Adarabioyo ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Nigerian international, 26, has penned a four-year contract and will officially join the Blues on a free transfer from rivals Fulham on July 1. He is understood to be making the move across the capital to play in Europe, with Chelsea having qualified for next campaign’s Europa Conference League.
“Chelsea is a huge club and this is a full-circle moment for me. I was born three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made my professional debut there,” Adarabioyo stated in his first interview with Chelsea.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to helping push the club in the direction we want to go.”
Tosin is the first player to join Chelsea since they announced the appointment of new head coach Enzo Maresca earlier this week. The West London club are looking to revive their fortunes under the guidance of Enzo Maresca after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season.
Manchester United tried to hijack Chelsea’s deal for Tosin Adarabioyo
Manchester United reportedly failed with a late attempt to hijack Tosin’s move to Chelsea. The Red Devils are understood to be in the market for a new central defender this summer, and, like many others, were encouraged by the idea of poaching the 26-year-old on a free transfer from Fulham.
However, they left it way too late as the Nigerian defender had already decided to join the Pensioners. Tosin chose Stamford Bridge as his next destination due to the promise of a vital role, the opportunity to work with new boss Enzo Maresca again—whom he briefly worked with at Manchester City—and his faith in the project.
The former Manchester City academy graduate’s arrival could fast-track the departure of Trevoh Chalobah, who has been transfer-listed by Chelsea this summer with interest from Man United. Also, Thiago Silva, 39, will leave the Blues on a free transfer to return to his native and rejoin Fluminense.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
